Focus: 2 Corinthians 6:8 - KJV
8. By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
2 Corinthians 6:3-10
The minister of God is called into a life of turmoil. The task of the minister is to wrest the earth from the grasp of the enemy. The enemy will never stand by and watch him do that. Everything that the minister says, even though true and honorable, will be discredited by the enemy to make the minister look bad and of evil report. Hence, the good book says we wrestle not with flesh and blood but with spiritual wickedness in high places and rulers of darkness of this world. They are not willing to allow the light thrive and therefore, they throw anything to ensure the minister of light is discredited.
Paul was a great example of torment in ministry. Though he gave no offence to anyone just to preserve the ministry, yet, he faced afflictions, comported himself in necessities and in distresses. He operated in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watching, in fasting and prayer; by pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned; yet some honored him and others dishonored him giving evil report of him and calling him a deceiver even though he bore the truth. Despite all of it, he allowed nothing to separate him from the love of Christ.
The avalanche of opposition that a minister of the Gospel is expected to face are normal. The Lord is saying to those affected thereby to please think it through. Unless the minister is contributing to the spread of darkness, he must be challenged. Therefore, hold fast to the faith as ministers and continue to strive for the mastery. The battle actually is never ours but that of the one who has sent us out. Never allow the pressure of the world and their dissent to cause you to abdicate God’s duty. Let God fight your battles and make your enemies your footstool. Keep up the faith.
Please pray:
Father, thank you for how so far you have kept me standing, despite criticisms and attacks everywhere. Please hold me up by your power and righteousness that I may never be deterred by the arrows from the pits of hell, in Jesus’ name. Please keep me safe and well that the detractors may be put to shame that try to dissuade me with their wickedness. Sharpen my spiritual intellect the more that I may continue to stand in your truth to the end, even until you make the enemy my footstool indeed, in Jesus’ mighty name.
Please share with others. God bless you.
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